Nitro Swimmer of the Week For May 1-7, 2017

I had the pleasure of coaching several of the Intro groups this past week. Our main focus was freestyle – kicking, drilling, and swimming. Every group improved their skills across the board, without question. I had a difficult time narrowing down the choices for Swimmers of the Week, but chose Kate and Faiza. These two young ladies were simply outstanding demonstrators, who both executed the drills with near perfection. I’m proud of the all of the Intro to Nitro swimmers this week, and look forward to working with them more! —Coach Mike

Bee Cave: Alessia Sciaraffia

This young lady knocked backstroke out of the park this week! Intro worked on maintaining a tall bodyline keeping the eyes looking up, the tummy up, and toes up on the surface of the water in streamline and side kicking. Alessia was able to maintain this tall bodyline from her underwater streamline push-off to the finish. In addition, she demonstrated how to get her shoulders up and rotate while keeping her head very still. Alessia simply loves the water and works her booty off every single day. Thank you for your constant effort and bright smile! Way to go Alessia! —Coach Raven

Bronze

Cedar Park: Kayla Tran

Bronze worked on butterfly this week, trying to feel the timing and rhythm of the stroke. Kayla paid attention, answered questions, and focused really well on the drills we were doing. This lead to her having an outstanding butterfly stroke; it looked smooth, powerful, and efficient. Kayla is really turning into quite the swimmer! Keep it up Kayla! —Coach Adam

Bee Cave: Harlan Adams

Great work by Harlan this week, it was a week of IM so all four strokes were pushed to his limits. On a timed 100 IM Harlan showed great patience with his underwaters off every wall. This young man loves to race, you can see it in his kick, his arm speed, and the way he finishes to the wall. The big test will come with his long course competition, 100s with only one turn really challenge the young Bronze swimmers but this is where Harlan and his love of racing will overcome any pain. I can’t wait! Great job young man! —Coach Chuck

Technique and Fitness

Cedar Park: Clara Proulx and Ron Lurie

Awesome job this past week with your breaststroke! Great head position and way to work on getting a smaller and faster more efficient kicks. Hands reaching the surface at the beginning of the pull rather than underneath your body was pretty impressive. Remember hands on top when beginning the pull. Great job you two thanks for being a part of NITRO and we’ll see you at the pool. —Coach Stephen

Bee Cave: Sophia Zhang

Sophia has really stepped up, lately. I’ve seen a rejuvenated focus from her, and strides I don’t think I’ve ever seen from her. A few weeks ago, she had a phenomenal kicking week! Lately, as we worked on backstroke finishes and back-to-breast turns, Sophia shined. She picked up on both concepts quickly, which can be hard. Even though she was quick to accomplish both, I also appreciated the patience she showed with herself and her teammates throughout. —Coach Jonny

Silver

Cedar Park: Chance Park

While we covered backstroke he did an outstanding job of focusing on rotation through his stroke, striving to make his bodyline long in the water, and making his catch as efficient as possible. Chance has got one of the smoothest looking backstrokes I’ve ever seen for a swimmer his age. Constantly I notice him listening intently to details and making sure he’s checking off every one of them perfectly. Nice job, Chance. Those who work hard get recognized. —Coach Claire

Bee Cave: Lauren Stroud

Lauren is the kind of swimmer who, when given any suggestions about her strokes, immediately implements them into the next length always to good effect. Lauren has a big personality and keeps the Silver #1 group (and me) entertained. Lauren really shines in her turns and underwaters. She is just so refined in these areas of her swimming, it brings a smile to my face when I see her walls. She may not be in Silver for much longer, so I needed to recognize her while I still have her! Great job, Lauren! —Coach Peter

Advanced Silver

Bee Cave: Caitlyn VanderMeer
Caitlyn is a hard worker, pushing herself to new challenges daily—no matter the set or interval. This young lady is dynamite, even on technique. She has been working very intentionally on her streamlines off walls and body lines while swimming breaststroke, and her swimming is becoming much more hydrodynamic. Caitlyn will see the results of the speed that comes with that glide this summer and fall. I am very proud of her! Congrats, Caitlyn! —Coach Paige

Gold I & II

CP Gold I: Nicholas Wood

Nicholas earned swimmer of the week after he pushed through many tough challenges. First, he muscled through a tough fly set, staying true to his stroke and technique. Then, later on in the week, Nicholas stepped up and was pushing best times in practice in some fast freestyle. Nicholas is the kind of kid that when you say jump, he says how high, and works his tail off to get there. Awesome job Nicholas! —Coach Adam

CP Gold II: Nigel Nielson

Nigel has made huge advancements this season in Gold II. He often leads his lane now and sets the pace for his teammates. Nigel’s butterfly in particular has improved tremendously and he’s getting more confident each practice. Most of all, I can always count on him to answer questions I quiz the group on. Keep it up, Nigel! —Coach Alex

Bee Cave: Bryce Clayton

Every week for the past 3-4 weeks I have said to myself “man, Bryce deserves Swimmer of the Week.” This is your week dude! I have to say how very impressed I am with Bryce’s natural ability in the water and his overall work ethic. He works impeccably hard day in and day out, and it all matches perfectly with his sweet demeanor. He is so kind to all his team mates, and has made an extra special effort over the past few weeks to hold the door open every Tuesdayand Thursday as we are all coming inside from dry land. His little gestures stand out, and he is most deserving of the Swimmer of the Week title! —Coach Allison